Berlin Science Survey
The Berlin Science Survey (BSS) is a scientific trend study on the changing scientific cultures in the Berlin research area. For this purpose, the experiences and assessments of scientists in the Berlin research area are collected at regular intervals in an online survey. In addition, scientists from other universities in Germany are also invited to participate in the study. In this way, general trends in the German academic landscape can also be recorded and compared with the Berlin results.
The multi-topic survey covers various aspects of research practices and research cultures, including research integrity, research cooperation, open science, diversity, the promotion of young researchers and knowledge transfer to various areas of society.
The results of the study reveal changes in the German research landscape, and here in particular in the Berlin research area, and to critically reflect on the science policy and organizational measures initiated (e.g. by the Berlin University Alliance or the federal government's Excellence Strategy) as accompanying research. In order to empirically substantiate decisions, the project provides a number of indicators which, together with data from other data sources, are incorporated into a comprehensive monitoring of changes in the Berlin research area by Objective 3 - Advancing Research Quality and Value.
The BSS focuses on scientists’ perspectives. Their experiences and assessments, as well as the sometimes very different disciplinary cultural conditions, form the empirical basis for a differentiated picture of the research area. The regularity of the survey also allows revealing changes and trends in research practices, discourses and attitudes over time. By incorporating the results into the science policy discourse, scientists are to participate in the changes and shaping of the Berlin research area in the sense of participatory governance.
The BSS pilot study took place in the winter semester 2021/2022 and has already delivered a variety of results that inform the scientific community as well as science and higher education policy decision-makers and stimulate joint discussion about the framework conditions for good science.
The current survey wave started in January 2024 and will run until mid-March 2024.
The Berlin Science Survey is conducted at the Robert K. Merton Center (RMZ). The RMZ's various expertise in the field of science research is incorporated into the development of the survey. In addition, the survey provides a data basis for research at the RMZ and for research collaborations with external scientists.